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Is big about to get big again in the automotive industry? That appears to be the prediction of Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan, which historically have been better known for their smaller vehicles.

In the 2008 to 2011 model years, the Japanese Big Three plan to expand their U.S. product lines with new nameplates and models that will be more powerful and bigger than ever, according to a recent report in Automotive News, a trade publication.

"Big" being a relative term, of course.
Many cars which are considered to be "big" today were compacts in the '60s.

For instance, the article says that the new Honda Accord is now classified as a "big" car, along with the Ford Crown Victoria. But the Accord is 194.3" long and the Crown Vic is quite a bit longer at 212".

Or, my former 1966 Dodge Dart GT was 196.3" long and was considered to be a compact, along with the Chevy Nova, Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant.
During the '70s, these "compacts" grew to as much as 201".

It would be great if Toyota and Subaru worked together on hybrid Subaru vehicles. I believe that Toyota owns a stake in Subaru. An AWD hybird Subaru would be quite interesting if they could develop it.

It would be great if Toyota and Subaru worked together on hybrid Subaru vehicles. I believe that Toyota owns a stake in Subaru. An AWD hybird Subaru would be quite interesting if they could develop it.

I don't think Subaru does enough volume to justify the development costs of adapting it to their rather unique driveline.

That's the problem these days with classifying cars. A Chevy Impala from the early 70s was considered full size. When it got downsized in '77, it's still classified as full size. What gives. It should then have been called an intermediate and when the Malibu got downsized, it should have been called a compact.

That's the problem these days with classifying cars. A Chevy Impala from the early 70s was considered full size. When it got downsized in '77, it's still classified as full size. What gives. It should then have been called an intermediate and when the Malibu got downsized, it should have been called a compact.

The Gov't went by external dimensions back then------heck; a 1967+ Dodge Dart 4 door sedan (compact) had about as much interior room, front and back seat, as a typical big car.

The Honda Accord is fullsize! WOW
I remember back when the 1980s Accords were about the same size as modern day Civics!

Today's Civic is actually bigger than the first-generation Accord. That's why Honda recently brought the Fit to the States -- to fill the gap that was left when the Civic grew to fill the niche the Accord used to serve. Same with the Yaris filling the gap left by the Corolla/Tercel now that the Corolla serves the market that used to be served by the Camry, which used to be served by the Cressida and later the Avalon. Same with Nissan bringing the Versa to fill the market that used to be served by the Altima, which now fills the market that used to be served by the Maxima, which now serves a market that Nissan hadn't really served before except via Infiniti. Same with BMW bringing the 1-series to fill the market that used to be served by the 3-series, which now serves the market that used to be served by the 5-series, which now fills the market that used to be served by the 7-series, which now simply a ship with wheels. And so it goes all across the industry.

Is big about to get big again in the automotive industry? That appears to be the prediction of Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan, which historically have been better known for their smaller vehicles.

In the 2008 to 2011 model years, the Japanese Big Three plan to expand their U.S. product lines with new nameplates and models that will be more powerful and bigger than ever, according to a recent report in Automotive News, a trade publication.

What we need are more fuel efficient hatchbacks !!! And comfortable ones too. I'm tired of cheap car seats that break my back!

Greenie

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